Question

nitrous oxide (n₂o), also known as laughing gas, is used as an anesthetic. it decomposes at high temperatures to form nitrogen gas (n₂) and oxygen gas (o₂). which model accurately represents this reaction? n o

Explanation:

Step1: Write the balanced chemical equation

The decomposition of nitrous oxide (\(N_2O\)) to form nitrogen (\(N_2\)) and oxygen (\(O_2\)) is \(2N_2O
ightarrow 2N_2 + O_2\).

Step2: Analyze the number of atoms in reactants and products

In the reactant \(2N_2O\), there are 4 \(N\) atoms and 2 \(O\) atoms. In the product \(2N_2 + O_2\), there are also 4 \(N\) atoms (\(2\times2\)) and 2 \(O\) atoms (\(1\times2\)).

Answer:

The first model (the top - most one among the given options) accurately represents the reaction as it has the correct number of \(N\) and \(O\) atoms on both sides of the reaction (2 molecules of \(N_2O\) decomposing to 2 molecules of \(N_2\) and 1 molecule of \(O_2\) in terms of atom - count conservation).